Sink retaining means



Nov. 14, 1961 G. A. LYON, JR., ETAL 3,008,151

SINK RETAINING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1959 1371 22? T 02-9 George /4 L 0/), Harry cf. E'Znon %W.; aft/14 4 F]? Nov. 14, 1961 G.A. LYON, JR., ETAL 3,008,151

SINK RETAINING MEANS Filed May 12, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EVERY-GT5Geo/"ye /].Ly0n, c/K Harry 0.591701) w M @WzznyI!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIlIIll/IIIIIIIIIIt!!! United States Patent3,008,151 SINK RETAINING MEANS George A. Lyon, Jr., Birmingham, andHarry J. Eynon, Bloomfield Hills, Mich; said Eynon assignor to LyonIncorporated, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Dela' Ware Filed May 12,1959, Ser. No. 812,606 5 Claims. (Cl. 4-187) The present inventionrelates generally to a sink structure and more particularly to a new andimproved technique for fastening a sink to a supporting structure suchas a counter.

It is well known that there is a great deal or competition between sinkmanufacturers to provide an improved sink construction of a type whichwill afiord the manufacturer a competitive advantage over hiscompetitors. Recently considerable emphasis has been placed uponproviding means on the sink so that the sink may be more readilyassembled with a counter structure. Formerly the installation of a sinkrequired considerable skill since former technique were both tedious andextremely difficult to accomplish. The instant means for securing thesink in assembly with the counter structure is an improvement overpreviously developed similar types of retaining means, the instantretaining means being adapted to be manufactured at reduced cost incomparison with the previously developed similar types of retainingmeans.

According to the present invention, strip structures may be suitablypreassembled by sink manufacturer on the underside of the sink so thatwhen the sink leaves the factory it is ready for assembly with a counterstructure in a home merely by assembling a fastener structure with thestrip structure. To this end, the installer only need lower the sinkthrough the opening defined by the counter structure, assemble thefastener structure with the strip structure, and then rotate the screwsor bolts each comprising an element of the fastener structure totightly, clamp the sink in assembly with the counter structure.

More particularly, the present invention concerns a new and highlyimproved fastener structure for clamping the outer margin of the sink tothe counter. Each of the fastener structures is merely comprised of twoelements including a swinga-ble arm, and a stove bolt. The swingable armon each of the fastener structures may be turned into underlyingposition with respect to the sink structure by means of utilizing an armguide which is removably attached to the strip structure disposed at theunderside of the marginal flange structure or the sink, and which aimguide may be used in conjunction with the assembly of each of thefastener structures, thereby eliminating the requirement that an armguide be provided for each of the fastener structures, as was the formerpractice.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to providea new and improved sink retaining means enabling speedy installation ofa sink with a counter structure with a minimum of effort and expense.

Still another important object of the present invention relates to asink retaining means which may be readily manufactured with a minimum ofmaterial, a minimum of parts, and which may be assembled with the sinkwith a minimum amount of labor.

A further object of the present invention relates to a new and improvedsink retaining means for maintaining a silk structure in clampedassembly with a counter structure in a new and improved manner.

An important feature of the present invention relates to a sinkretaining means having a swingable arm which is swingable into and outof underlying relation with respect to a counter by means of an armguide and a bolt,

3,008,151 Patented Nov. I4, 1961 2 which swingable arm may be movedvertically to clamp the sink in assembly with the counter by therotation of the bolt, and with the arm guide being in removable assemblywith the sink retaining means so that it may be used for swinging otherswingable arms into and out of underlying clamping engagement with acounter.

Still another important feature of the present invention relates to anovel strip structure which is adapted to be used in conjunction with afastener structure to enable the sink to be clamped in assembly with acounter structure with a minimum expense.

Other objects and features of the present invention will more fullybecome apparent in view of the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating therein a singleembodimet, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a sink structure with strip andfastener structure being indicated in dotted lines;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary View showing the strip structure inassembly with the outer margin of the sink;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional View showing a sinkin preliminary engagement with a counter structure and with theillustrated sink section being taken substantially on the line IIIIII,as appearing in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line IVIV, as appearing in FIGURE 2, with the boltand swingable arm assembly appearing in full and dotted linesillustratin the manner in which it may be assembled with the stripstructure;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary edge elevation of the underside areaof the sink but showing a portion of the marginal sink flange insection;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar toFIGURE 4 only illustrating the arm guide in assembly with the stripstructure;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar toFIGURE 3 only showing the fastener structure partially in elevation andpartially in section, and with the swingable arm being in retainingengagement with the counter;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar toFIGURE 6 only showing the manner in which the arm guide may bedisengaged from the strip structure;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takensubstantially on the line IX--IX, as appearing in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged isometric view of the arm guide.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 8 in FIGURE 1 indicates generally a sink structurewhich sink structure includes a counter 9 and a sink 10. The sink It) isillustrated as a double-bowl type sink including bowls ll and 12 whichbowls are separated by a partition rib 113. The bowls ll and 12 areprovided with discharge outlets 11a and 12a.

The counter or supporting structure may be of any suitable type and asshown is of a laminated construction having a wood layer 9a and aheat-resistant synthetic plastic layer 91). In accordance with presentday practices the counter 9 is provided with a central opening throughwhich the sink 10 is adapted to be telescoped.

When the bowl of the sink 1% is telescoped into the opening 90 the sinkit) rests upon the counter by means of its marginal flange structure 14.The marginal flange structure 14 includes an annular angular flangeportion 14a, a terminal curved or arched flange portion 14b, and acounter-engaging edge 14c.

spears-1 According to the present invention, the sink 101 is providedwith retaining means indicated generally at 15. The retaining meanscomprises strip structure 1d and fastener structure comprising a seriesof fasteners indicated generally at 17.

The fasteners 17 each include a swingable arm 13, detachable orremovable guide 19 (the guide being reusable with each of the fasteners)and a threaded bolt 2%, the threads being indicated at 2%. Suflice it tosay at this time that the swingable arm is mountable on the bolt and isguided in its upward movement by the arm guide 1%.

The strip structure 16 comprises a metal strip or strips which areannularly arranged on the underside of the margin 14 of the sink. As isapparent in FIGURE 2, the strip structure 16 is embossed along its lenth providing embossed portions or offset portions 16a and 16b. Theoffset portions or peripherally spaced areas 16a are separated from oneanother by spacer portions 160 which spacer portions lids are suitablysecured to the underside of the curved or arched flange portion such asby means of spot welds indicated generally at Md. The offset portion 16bextends substantially the full length of the strip structure and issuitably secured along its length to the underside of the annularangular flange portion 14a such as by means of spot welds 15b.

Each of the offset portions loci are provided with which is adapted tocooperate with the bolt 29 and the arm guide 1? to assist in theassembly of these elements with the strip structure 16. To this end, theoflset portions or peripherally spaced areas 16a are each provided witha key-shaped edge 16a which defines a slot through which the head of thebolt may be inserted and secured in assembly with the offset portion16a. in addition, the offset portion 16:: is provided with shoulders16f-16f which are disposed on opposite sides of th key-shaped edge 16cand which shoulders are adapted to cooperate with the arm guide 19 insecuring the arm guide in assembly with the offset portion 15a.

The swingable arm 13 has a central opening and the threaded shank of thebolt is adapted to be threadingly engaged with the opening provided onthe swingable arm so that the swingable arm may move vertically relativeto the shank of the bolt depending on which direction the bolt and theswingable arm are moved with re spect to one another.

In order to assemble the sink 19 on the counter structure 9, theswingable arm and bolt assembly may be assembled with the stripstructure 16 either before or after the sink it? is mounted on thecounter 9. The swingable arm 18 and the bolt may be assembled with thestrip structure by cocking the bolt Ztl at an angle relative to thekey-shaped strip edge 16@ so that a bolt head 20b may be guided throughthe slot defined by the key-shaped edge. A strip edge or seat 16g isdisposed above and at right angles to the key-shaped edge 162 providingan area on which the bolt head 2% may rest. The method of assembly ofthe bolt with the strip structure 16 is shown in FIGURE 4.

After the bolt and the swingable arm have been assembled with the stripstructure 16, the arm guide 19 may be assembled with the strip structure16. In order to attain this end, means is provided between the stripstructure and the arm guide to enable the arm guide 19 to be assembledwith the strip structure 16. The arm guide 19 is generally of a tubularconstruction and has re siliently defiectable arm guide extensions 1%which may be resiliently spread radially apart in order that arm guideseats 1% may be retainingly engaged with the strip shoulders 16 insnap-on, pull-ofi assembly with the strip structure 16.

To assemble the arm guide 19 with the strip structure 16, the arm guide19 may be coaxially aligned with the bolt 20 and moved veiticallyrelative to the bolt until the extensions 19a engage against cam stripsurfaces 16/1,

1671 (FIGURE 8). As the arm guide 19 is forceably urged against the camstrip surface 1671 the tabs or extensions 1% on the arm guide areresiliently deflected along the cam surfaces so that the extensions 19aare extended through the slots and so the arm guide seats 1%, 1% areengaged with the strip shsoulders 16 16] to thereby mount the arm guidein assembly with the strip structure.

The arm guide 19 is provided with a. pair of confronting helical armguide edges 19c, 190 which provide means for turning the swingable armguide 18 into and out of underlying relation with respect to the counter9 and which cooperate with the bolt 20 in moving the swingable arm guide18 vertically relative to the bolt 20 so that the swingable arm 18 maybe brought into biting engagement with the underside of the counter 9 asis shown in FIGURE 7.

In order to enable the bolt to be turned from underneath the sinkstructure, a slot Ztlc is provided on the bottom end of the bolt shankwhich slot is of a size capable of readily receiving a tip end of ascrewdriver.

in order for the swingable arm 13 to bite into the underside of thecounter 9, the swingable arm is provided within a main body portion 18a,an angular portion 18b, and a biting edge 13c disposed at the tip end ofthe angular portion 18b (FiGURE 7).

in summary, the swingable arm 13 and the bolt 20 are preferablyinitially assembled together. The assembled swingable arm and bolt maybe assembled with the strip structure in the manner previously describedeither before or after the bowl of the sink 1% has been telescoped intothe counter opening in a manner whereby the sink 10 is carried on thecounter 9 as a consequence of the outer marginal edge of the sink 19being in abutting engagement with the upper surface of the counter layer9b. By

the use of the arm guide 19, the swingable arms 18 may be turned intounderlying relation with respect to the counter structure. The helicaledges 19c, 19c on the arm guide 19 cooperate with the bolt 20 as thebolt is turned in such a manner that the swingable arm is rotatedcircumferentially relative to the shank of the bolt and is movedvertically relative to the underside of the counter structure into andout of biting engagement therewith. When the swingable arm is in bitingengagement with the under side of the counter 9, the outer marginalcounter edge 14c operates in such a manner as to prevent moisture fromseeping between the countertop and the marginal sink edge 140.

After the swingable arm has been snugly engaged against the bottom sideof the counter, the arm guide 19 may be suitably grasped and pulled awayfrom the strip structure so that the arm guide may be used again to aidin the swinging movement of other swingable arms 18. The cost of thefastener structure 17 may be reduced since only one arm guide 19 isneeded to assist in the engagement of all of the swingable arms 18 withthe underside of the counter. Similarly, if it is desired that the sinkbe disengaged from the counter 9, only one arm guide 19 is required tocomplete the operation. In other words, the arm guide 19 may bereassembled with the strip structure so that when the bolt 20 is turned,the swingable arm may be allowed to drop away from the underside of thecounter structure and may be allowed to pivot out of underlying relationwith respect to the underside of the counter.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

We claim as our invention:

1. Means for securing a sink to a counter including strip structure anda series of fastener structures removably secured to said stripstructure at spaced intervals, said fastener structure including a boltextending from one side of said strip structure and a swingable armthreadably mounted on said bolt with a biting edge at an outer end ofthe arm, the improvement comprising a single guide structure havingmeans for detachably mounting with the strip structure coaxially withsaid bolt and providing a guide slot through which said arm passes, saidguide slot having a curvature so that the arm in moving toward the stripstructure rotates relative to the strip structure.

2. The means for securing a sink to a counter of claim 1 furthercharacterized by the strip structure having a series of peripherallyspaced areas with which the means on the arm guide is adapted to beselectively secured in removable assembly.

3. The means for securing a sink to a counter of claim 2 furthercharacterized by the peripherally spaced areas on the strip structureeach including a pair of strip retaining shoulders, and the guidestructure having a pair of complementary resiliently deflectableextensions removably engageable under tension with the strip retainingshoulders.

4. The means for securing a sink to a counter of claim 2 furthercharacterized by the peripherally spaced areas each having a key shapededge in which a head of said bolt may be inserted through enabling thebolt to be suspended from the strip structure to assist in the clampingof the sink to the counter.

5. Means for securing a sink to a counter including strip structure anda series of fastener structures removably secured to said stripstructure at spaced intervals, said fastener structure including a boltextending from one side of said strip structure and a swingable armthreadably mounted on said bolt with a biting edge at an outer end ofthe arm, the improvement comprising a single guide structure havingmeans for detachably mounting with the strip structure coaxially withsaid bolt and providing a guide slot through which said arm passes, saidguide slot having a curvature so that the arm in moving toward the stripstructure rotates relative to the strip structure, the biting edge beingdisposed outwardly of the guide structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS258,997 Crandal June 6, 1882 1,287,000 Greaves Dec. 10, 1918 2,096,319Churchill Oct. 19, 1937 2,705,784 Murphy Apr. 5, 1955 2,843,855 HammerJuly 22, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 607,465 Great Britain Aug. 31, 1948

